Snake Lane 10 Mile Pocklington 18/02/2024

I have run this race twice before, 2010 and 2011, a long time ago when I was predominantly a road runner. 

Ten miles of tarmac is arduous work and lots of impact on an aching body. Time to break out the new shoes, Brooks Ghost, only worn for a couple of miles. I had jammed and ahead about wearing them because, once wet, running shoes stink like a cat has used them as a toilet. However new shoes, new cushioning made more sense. New shoes it was. 

Ann picked me up at 06:30 and we set off for Pocklington in the rainy darkness. Something had bitten my hand in the night, and it was badly swollen, I slavered it in anti bite cream, took an antihistamine and iced it for the journey. It was more comfortable by the time we arrived. Ann was directed to park on the soaking grass at Pocklington Rugby Club, we were a little nervous abut getting back out. 

The rain had stopped, and it was not too cold, so we prepared for the race. I planned to give it everything, whereas Ann planned to ease back and enjoy it. 

We took our food to the Rugby Club, there was a food bank collection, where, when you donated, you were issued a raffle ticket, this might win you free entry to next year’s race. 

There were plenty of toilets and portable loos, so queues were not too bad.

We set off for the start, this was a little way away from the rugby club. There were loos there, I went and queued again, 15 min to the start time of 09:00. The queue was slow moving, Ann went to find her start place. I was chatting to other Ripon Runners in the queue. Finally, I was at the front, in and out as quick as I could, I had 5 minutes to find my start place. 

I decided to run between the 1 hour 40 min pacer and the 1 hour 45 one as my previous times were in the 1-hour 30+ range. It was very crowded, I forgot how unnerving I find these crowded starts now, I prefer some space between me and the runner in front to see that there is no trip hazard or pothole.

09:00 the crowd moved forwards, slowly at first but increasing pace, we crossed the timing bands and the pace increased again, it was tricky to pace in the crowd with so many different paced runners. The first mile felt manic with people weaving in and out and the avoidance of the biggest puddles. My lovely new shoes were soon soaked. I could hear a pacer behind describing th the course, it must have been the 1:45 one, I worked hard to stay ahead, just around 3 miles, the crowd with the pacer passed me by, she had 95 min on her back, Oh no! I’m going too fast. Oh well, see how long I can keep them in sight. I was working hard; the fast flat course did not feel so flat. I was still in sight of the pace group at the 5-mile water station, I took a gel and waked as I had a drink of water. Back on it, I found myself catching back up with the pacer. 

6 miles, nearly 10 km, I took a glance at my watch, under 57 minutes, the pace said we were on for 93 minutes. Still going too quick, but I kept hanging on a mile at a time. There was one point the pacer got away by quite some distance, I figured that with only 2 miles to go, I would not be much over 1:35. I kept pushing myself and the pacer stopped, and I caught back up for the last mile. I was working really hard, fighting the urge to slow. I was so relieved to cross the finish line in 1:33:17. I thought it a PB until I checked my Garmin history and found I was 45 seconds slower than 2011. But I am still very pleased as I am also 13 years older.

I met up with Ann and we did the post run pics. We love the sunglasses that were a memento along with a medal and neck warmer. We walked to the Rugby Club and met the rest of the Ripon Runners. 

I Highly recommend this race, it’s a fastest finger first race to enter. It’s well organised and I recommend being ready for when it opens in the autumn.

992/1568 overall

344/762 female

30/82 FV55